Malegaon blast accused former-armymen brought to Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 26 (UNI) Former army officers, detained by the city Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officers for their alleged involvement in the September 29 Malegaon bast were brought to the metropolis in the wee hours today.

Officials confirmed that the two officers of the rank of Major General were brought to the city for interrogation about the blast, that claimed six lives and injured more than 150 people.

However, they declined to divulge further details pertaining to their arrest.

On condition of anonymity, an officer said the duo had allegedly trained some people in making bombs for two months prior to the blast.

Earlier, the ATS had arrested three people -- Pragya Singh Thakur, Shivnarayan Singh and Shyam Bhavarlal Sahu in the case. They had also detained some other people in this connection.

Thakur, who had floated two organisations -- ''Vande Mataram Jan Kalyan Samiti'' and ''Rashtriya Jagran Manch'', was arrested from Surat, while the others were arrested from Indore.

Earlier, city ATS Chief Hemant Karkera said the motorcycle, which was used for the blast, had a fake registration number and was actually in the name of Thakur.

UNI ST RN SW AS1621